Another vs Other
Difference between other and another is confusing to many as these two words seem very alike. However, if you want to use good English then you should remember that both other and another are to be construed as different words with different meanings. The word another is used in the sense of ‘one more’ or ‘a different’. On the other hand, the word other is used in the sense of ‘new’ or ‘additional’. This is the main difference between the two words. It is important to know that both the words are used as adjectives in written and spoken English.
What does Another mean?
The word another is used in the sense of one more or a different. Observe the two sentences given below:
Another book has been published by him.
There is another point to make.
In both the sentences, you can find that the word another is used in the sense of ‘different’ or ‘one more’ and hence, the meaning of the first sentence would be ‘one more book has been published by him’, and ‘there is a different point to make’. Look at the sentence given below.
There is not another left in the bag.
In this sentence, the word another is used in the sense of ‘any more’ and hence the meaning of the sentence would be, as it is in the negative, ‘there is nothing more left in the bag’.
What does Other mean?
On the other hand, the word other is used to mean new or additional. Now, observe the two sentences given below:
He had other things in mind.
She spoke of many other things in her life.
In both the sentences, the word other is used is the sense of ‘new’ or ‘additional’. Hence, the meaning of the first sentence would be ‘he had additional things in mind’, and the meaning of the second sentence would be ‘she spoke of many new things in her life’ or it could also mean ‘she spoke of many additional things (other than the ones already talked about) in her life.’
It is interesting to note that the word other when used along with the definite article ‘the’ gives the meaning of ‘the remaining’ as in the sentence given below.
He looked at the other person and said so.
In this sentence, the word ‘the other’ is used in the sense of ‘the remaining’ and hence, the meaning of the sentence would be ‘he looked at the remaining person and said so’.
On the other hand, the word other is sometimes used in the sense of ‘supplementary’ as in the sentence ‘include other lessons too for the examination’. Here, the word other is used in the sense of ‘supplementary’ and hence, the meaning of the sentence would be ‘include supplementary lessons too for the examination’.
What is the difference between Another and Other?
• The word another is used in the sense of ‘one more’ or ‘a different’.
• On the other hand, the word other is used in the sense of ‘new’ or ‘additional’. This is the main difference between the two words.
• The word other when used along with the definite article ‘the’ gives the meaning of ‘the remaining.’
• The word another is also used in the sense of ‘any more.’
• The word other is sometimes used in the sense of ‘supplementary,’
These are the important differences between the two words, namely, another and other.